Guest Columns

When it came time to wean calves from their mothers, several things happened. First, you separated the bull calves from the heifers. The bulls were castrated. The calves were marked and branded and then put together in another pasture behind the cow pen.

The cows were turned out into the main pasture, and there were two fences between the calves and their mothers. It took from daylight to almost dark, plus five cowboys to get this done. As assistant manager of the Double F, it was my job to see the calves and cows stayed apart until they got over being weaned.

M. C. of Alachua asks, “What’s the deal with the new marijuana law? Someone told me that it didn’t apply to too many people. Is that true? So what is being voted on in November? Is that something different?”

A recent “fluff” piece by political writer Anthony Man in the Sun Sentinel reported that Florida Congressman Ted Deutch has become a vegan. He says he’s lost “25 pounds” and that his “health has definitely improved as a result.”

Citing his long day where he finds himself not eating many homemade meals and faced with caloric choices all day, Deutch said he has “come to really [enjoy] the vegetable side dishes at restaurants.”

2013 demonstrated the successes of House Republicans’ continued focus on supporting policies that promote and encourage economic growth and opportunity for every Floridian. Our diligent work to promote good public policy, guided by our conservative principles, has had a positive impact on Floridians and our state is now setting the standard for the nation in many major policy areas.

For many of us, the beginning of a new year always brings resolve to do something new or different. Whether it is eating healthier, getting more exercise, quitting the use of tobacco, the new year brings opportunities to start anew.